It’s been a while since I shared a book round-up, so here’s an updated list of our current favorites for four-year-olds. Many are picture books similar to those I recommended for three-year-olds, but some lean toward longer stories and early chapter-book territory. These selections have been tried and loved in our household, and many older favorites remain in daily rotation.
Milo Imagines The World by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson: This thoughtful picture book follows Milo as he learns that you can’t truly know someone’s story just by looking at them. Beautiful art and a gentle lesson about imagination and empathy.
The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Scandinavia by Audrey Smit & Jackie Knapp: One of the first longer reads Arlo has enjoyed. It’s a charming, episodic mystery about Lily Huckleberry tracking down missing strawberries—perfect for continuing the story night after night.
How To Catch A Star by Oliver Jeffers: A sweet, simple tale about a boy determined to catch a star and the surprising way he succeeds. Poignant and whimsical.
Today by Julie Morstad: This interactive picture book invites kids to choose outfits, activities, and meals as they follow a day in the life of a child. The lovely illustrations and decision-making format make it especially engaging for little ones who like choices.
Avocado Asks by Momoko Abe: A gentle story about an avocado searching for identity and belonging, meeting friends who are working through similar questions. Warm and relatable.
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton: An exuberant read-aloud about a child who’s excited—really excited—to start kindergarten. Joyful and affirming for kids beginning school.
Disney Maps: A Magical Atlas of the Movies We Know and Love: Not a traditional picture book, this atlas-style title maps favorite Disney lands and showcases animated landmarks and characters. A fun, imaginative book for fans of the films.
Construction Site Mission: Demolition by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford: Ideal for truck-obsessed kids. This story about demolition day at a construction site pairs well with real-life construction sights and encourages excitement about how things are built and taken apart.
Wild Symphony by Dan Brown, illustrated by Susan Batori: A multimedia picture book that pairs illustrations with an app that plays orchestral pieces inspired by different animals. When the music syncs to the pages it feels a bit magical—great for introducing children to instruments and classical sounds.
Hidden in the Jungle by Peggy Nille: A colorful search-and-find book that challenges readers to spot animals hidden across shifting scenes. It’s playful and excellent for attention and observation practice.
The Hike by Alison Farrell: Part storybook, part nature guide—this book follows two girls on a hike and labels plants and animals they encounter. It’s a sweet adventure that also inspires outdoor exploration and simple craft ideas like leaf baskets.
The World Needs Who You Were Made To Be by Joanna Gaines, illustrated by Julianna Swaney: A gentle, inclusive message about individuality and creativity, told through children building their own unique hot air balloons.
Fearless Trailblazers: 11 Latinos That Made US History by Naibe Reynoso, illustrated by Jone Leal: A bilingual profile collection highlighting eleven Latino figures and their contributions. Informative and inspiring for young readers; the series also includes female-focused and board-book versions.
The Button Book by Sally Nicholls and Bethan Woolvin: A high-energy interactive read where each page’s button prompts silly actions like singing, bouncing, or hugging. Great for playtime, though perhaps not ideal right before bed for excitable listeners.
The Mouse Mansion by Karina Schaapman: A photo-filled book showcasing a meticulously crafted mouse dollhouse and the stories of its tiny inhabitants. It’s been a long-standing favorite for imaginative play and has even inspired travel plans to see the real-life exhibit.
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima: A heartwarming tale about Kelp, a unicorn raised among narwhals, who learns about identity and belonging without having to choose one path entirely. Perfect for conversations about difference and self-acceptance.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds: An encouraging story about a child who doubts her artistic ability until a teacher’s small nudge helps her discover confidence—and creativity—through a single dot.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall: A story about a boy experimenting with flying machines. It highlights teamwork, persistence, and problem-solving when things don’t go as planned.
Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville, illustrated by Brigette Barrager: A lively biography of Mary Blair that inspires curiosity about art and color. It’s a popular bedtime pick in our house, though it offers a slightly different timeline than another Blair biography we own.
The Secret Life of Farts by Malin Klingenberg, illustrated by Santa Manser: Pure silliness—this one is a hit with kids who find bodily humor irresistible. The illustrations are bold and memorable, making it a playful, giggle-inducing read.
More Favorite Kids Books
- Our Favorite Board Books
- Favorite Books For One Year Olds
- Favorite Books For 18 Month Olds
- Favorite Books for 2 Year Olds
- Our Favorite Books For Three Year Olds
Do you have favorite books for the four-year-olds in your life? I’d love to hear recommendations and add new titles to our rotation.